Pete DeBoer: What, Me Worry?

When asked how he handles not knowing whether he'll return to the Panthers next season, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer joked “by drinking heavily.''

DeBoer, who has one year left on his contract, hasn't been told whether he'll be back although he says he wants to finish what's been started.

Panthers assistant general manager Mike Santos said DeBoer and his coaching staff will be evaluated after the season by GM Dale Tallon and himself and declared that no decision has been made on the coaching situation.

The topic was brought up as Ottawa coach Cory Clouston is also rumored to be out. DeBoer interviewed for the Senators job before being hired by the Panthers in 2008 and could be a candidate in Ottawa again.

“You don’t put it out of your mind. Anyone who tells you that is lying to you,'' DeBoer said. “But I have to do my job. You owe it to the guys in the room. .-.-. I would be cheating them if I took any other approach than to do what we’ve done here every day for the last three years. .-.-. I feel they have given us all that they have. They’ve tried to play the right way.''